SBS World News Radio

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have signed a historic peace agreement in Washington with hopes it will bring a close to the decades long conflict. While seen as a turning point, critics of the deal say it contains major omissions and argue the critical minerals element further exploits people in the region.

The Australian Human Rights Commission has released a landmark report on workplace sexual harassment, drawing from the experiences of over 300 victim-survivors. The report hands down 11 recommendations to address the gaps between policy and practice when dealing with those most affected by sexual harassment at work.

It was a tense week for families with loved ones in the Middle East – especially for one Melbourne mother separated from her three sons in Iran. When phone and internet failed, she did not know if they had survived.

It appears the volatility in global politics hasn't translated to local markets, with the ASX-200 remaining relatively calm for most of the week. IG market analyst Tony Sycamore spoke with Stephanie Youssef. Plus, Deloitte has released its latest Business Outlook and, despite global economic uncertainty, the Australian economy is expected to experience modest growth over the next few years. For more, Deloitte Access Economics Head Pradeep Philip spoke about the need for reform to boost productivity.

A new vaccine advisory panel appointed by US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has announced it will study the schedule of childhood and adolescent immunisations and review the use of older vaccines. It's also recommended single dose flu vaccination formulas which is thimerosal-free. The announcements have caused some alarm, with some concerned it's promoting long debunked claims and embedding vaccine scepticism into national policy.

The unfolding events of the Israel-Iran conflict and what the future could hold for Tehran's regime. Plus, the big bucks promised at the NATO summit, Georgia crackdowns on dissent, and the Armenian Prime Minister's controversial plan to put religious rumours to bed.

Iran's Supreme Leader has emerged from hiding, warning the United States it will pay a heavy price for further attacks on its nuclear infrastructure and denying White House reports the countries are currently in talks over a nuclear agreement. The country says it will maintain peace with Israel and will not launch further strikes, unless it is attacked.

Australia is standing firm on not raising defence spending to the levels demanded by the United States government, despite NATO countries agreeing to do so at their meeting in the Netherlands.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Chris Weston from Pepperstone about the day's market action including why US dollar weakness is the talk of traders, plus James Koval from ASFA looks at what the banking and financial regulator has released some detail super fund performance details and checks in to see how your super balance compares.

All over the country, there are concerns about rising rates of youth crime. At the same time, advocates are concerned about the rate of incarceration for First Nations people, fearing some communities are being criminalised and over-policed. Advocates say Australia is not on track to meeting Closing the Gap targets on imprisonment - and in fact, things are only getting worse for young offenders. In this episode of the Too Hard Basket, we take a look at recent law and order crackdowns - and their impact on First Nations young people.

NATO countries have agreed to hike defence spending to five per cent of GDP. Australia will also send defence personnel to Europe in support of Ukraine.

The federal Opposition Leader has used an address at the National Press Club to paint her leadership as a departure from Peter Dutton, outlining her plans to rebuild the Liberal Party and draw more women to run for the party. She's also made a deeply personal admission about her own experience of coercion and control, as she vows to use her position to address domestic violence.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Harry Murphy Cruise from Oxford Economics about what's driving inflation lower and what it means for interest rates while Michael McCarthy from moomoo takes a look at the day on the sharemarket including Virgin Australia's second day on the ASX and another record for the Commonwealth Bank.

Israel's military says its focus will shift back to Gaza, after the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. Witnesses say Israeli troops have opened fire outside an aid delivery site, resulting in at least 46 deaths of Gazans - adding to the 410 deaths that have happened outside such aid sites since a private-run group took over aid distribution in late May.

A fragile US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel is holding after nearly two weeks of airstrikes and missile attacks. Both sides claim victory, but tensions remain high, with mutual accusations, disputed damage reports, and signs the conflict could easily reignite.

A Royal Australian Air Force jet carrying more than 100 Australian citizens trying to escape the conflict in the Middle East has flown out of a major Israeli city after the airspace was opened. But Foreign Minister Penny Wong said assisted departure flights from Iran are still not possible. The evacuations follow a tense week in which Australia backed US strikes on Iran nuclear sites, ahead of a tentative ceasefire.

In a wide-ranging interview with SBS News, Tehran's top diplomat in Canberra referred to US strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities as "unprovoked and against international law". Ahmad Sadeghi says Australians who remain stranded in Iran are being provided with a way to transit to the Azerbaijan border, where they are getting consular support. He's told SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson that Iran's willing to resume diplomatic negotiations and maintains his nation is peaceful and any attempts to overthrow the Supreme Leader would be disastrous

In the world heritage-protected Shark Bay, 800 kilometres north of Perth, a Malgana woman is working to save biodiversity. Considered one of the world's greatest wilderness treasures, she's carrying a unique responsibility passed on by Elders who've cared for the land before her.

US and Australian markets have rallied after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Plus, Virgin Australia's shares take-off after re-listing on the ASX-200. Blackmore Capital's Yu Yi spoke with Ricardo Goncalves.

Is there a ceasefire between Iran and Israel or is there not? Iranian state television is reporting a ceasefire has begun, just hours after Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on social media saying Iran had no intention to continue strikes if Israel stopped its strikes by 4am local time. US President Donald Trump had earlier claimed a total ceasefire had been agreed, but it was initially disputed by Iran.

Leaders from around 50 medical groups have gathered in Canberra to tackle some of the thorniest issues facing Australia's heath system. The Australian Medical Association is among the organisations to attend. The AMA argues that logjams in public hospitals, rural communities struggling to access care and the shuttering of private hospitals and services shows the health of Australia's care system is waning.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in the United Kingdom, meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles, while Russian missile and drone attacks have killed at least 14 people back home. The visit comes ahead of a key NATO summit where US President Donald Trump is pushing European leaders to commit to higher defence spending.

When the teen social media ban comes into force later this year, Australia will be the first country to try enforcing an increased minimum age for social media. But experts are warning that with less than six months before it starts, it's still not clear how it will work.

The biggest cohort of First Nations graduates from a single degree have been celebrated at Monash University in Melbourne. The Master of Indigenous Business Leadership aims to encourage the next generation and diversify the sector.

Twenty-five years ago, fifteen people - mostly young backpackers and fruit pickers - were killed in an arson attack on a hostel in regional Queensland. Survivors and the families of victims have returned to the small town of Childers in the state's south-east to mark the anniversary and continue to call for the perpetrator not to be released from prison. A WARNING THAT THE FOLLOWING STORY CONTAINS CONTENT THAT MAY DISTRESS SOME LISTENERS

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Robert Rennie from Westpac and Raymond Chan from Morgans to find out how the US strike on Iran is impacting financial markets, commodities and in the implication for petrol prices.

The United Nations Security Council and International Atomic Energy Agency are calling for diplomacy after the US joined Israel's assault on Iran. Iran has vowed to respond and says it has the right to defend itself in the face of aggression, warning there will be irreparable consequences following the strikes.

A suicide bombing at a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus has killed at least 20 people and wounded more than 50, shattering Sunday Mass and reigniting fears over Syria's fragile post-Assad security. The attack, reportedly carried out by an IS militant, struck a congregation of 350 worshippers, leaving scenes of devastation and raising questions about the new government's ability to protect religious minorities.

The world is waiting to see what Iran's response will be to the US strikes on its nuclear sites. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the attacks were an "outrageous, grave, and unprecedented violation" of the U-N charter and international law. He says Iran is weighing its options for retaliation and would consider diplomacy only after carrying out its response to the US strikes on its nuclear sites. The US insists the attacks did not target Iranian troops or people, maintaining the mission was not designed to force regime change in Tehran, just to end Iran's nuclear capabilities. Shahram Akbarzadeh is Professor of Middle East & Central Asian Politics and director of the Middle East Forum at Deakin University. In this One on One episode, he's talking to SBS's Rena Sarumpaet about what steps Iran may take next,

Sudanese refugees who have escaped the world's largest humanitarian crisis to Australia are sharing their stories to spread awareness of suffering in their homeland. After more than two years of fighting, the conflict in Sudan has led to famine, ethnic and gender-based violence and the biggest internal displacement crisis on the planet with more than 14 million people forcibly uprooted by fighting. Humanitarian groups and members of the Sudanese diaspora are pleading for help from Australia.

United States President Donald Trump has confirmed US strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran. In a public address, just hours after the significant escalation, the US president described the strikes as "a spectacular military success".

Our fascination with prehistoric worlds is all to obvious with the release of latest Jurassic World blockbuster Rebirth. We might think we're familiar with all the giant creatures which wandered our planet millions of years ago thanks to series like 'Walking with Dinosaurs', but scientists are still discovering new species. The latest find is a lizard which lived about 76 million years ago in the late Late Cretaceous period which came after the Jurassic. It's called Bolg, named after the Goblin Prince in J R R Tolkien's classic fantasy tale, 'The Hobbit'. In this edition of Weekend One on One, we hear from Hank Woolley, the lead author of the study on the new lizard, and who discovered its bones forgotten in a museum drawer during his research trip to the Natural History Museum of Utah.

Since 2024, the federal government has launched several policies to restrict international student numbers, including raising the fees for student visa applications, and slowing down the processing time for visas. The new rules have significantly affected the independent education sectors, which provide English learning and vocational education to international students, leading to closures of some of these institutions.

A phone service for refugees in Australia says demand has risen as conflicts have intensified around the world. Jorge Aroche is a clinical psychologist and CEO of a non-profit called STARTTS, which provides culturally relevant mental health support to those who have experienced torture or other traumatic events before arriving in Australia or as past of their refugee journey. The organisation's phone service - the Witness to War Hotline - was launched 18 months ago to provide a confidential outlet for those impacted by conflict. Biwa spoke with Mr Aroche about the demand for the service, with more than 2,000 calls received so far.

Iran says it is willing to engage in diplomacy and further talks but only once Israel halts aggression. Israel meanwhile is threatening a prolonged war with Iran as the United States weighs up whether to get involved.

Research shows refugees and asylum seekers in Australia experience disproportionately high rates of suicide, PTSD and psychological distress. Mental health challenges are often further exacerbated by a lack of access to culturally appropriate care and information. Wesley LifeForce is one organisation working to fill this gap, by offering suicide prevention training for refugees in six languages.

Australia's music industry is worth more than $8 billion annually. However competition is fierce. After arriving as a refugee, Baraka the Kid has overcome the odds to make a name worldwide.

A new, long-feared frontline opens in the Middle East as President Trump considers US involvement. Plus, what didn't happen at the G7 Summit, political violence rattles America, and a bizarre museum mishap poses a moral dilemma.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Lochlan Halloway from Morningstar to find out why investors lost confidence as the ASX ends its five week winning streak and takes a closer look at two big deals entering the market, a potential takeover of Santos and the relisting of Virgin Australia.

The Leadbeater's Possum can fit in the palm of your hand, and it has been presumed extinct twice. Now a new population has been discovered in New South Wales, and the race is on to protect it.

In January, a peacebuilding project in Papua New Guinea was just beginning when suddenly, funding was cut. It was one of many casualties of President Donald Trump's gutting of the U-S aid budget. Five months on, the impact of the cuts is starting to be understood, with a new report finding over 100 programs reaching more than a million people run by Australian agencies have been directly hit.

The Internationally renowned slam poet known as Huda the Goddess has officially claimed the UNHCR-SBS Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition. The honours coincide with World Refugee Day, which celebrates refugees and their contribution to society.

The Trump administration has warned Iran of grave consequences if it continues its nuclear ambitions, as Israel and Iran trade missiles with no clear path to ending the conflict. Meanwhile, Australia has closed its embassy in Tehran, with thousands registering for assistance to leave.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Westpac Senior Economist Pat Bustamante about why the US Federal Reserve left interest rates on hold despite repeated pressure from Donald Trump, plus Ben Clark from TMS Capital Ltd on the day's sharemarket news, including a continued tumble in the iron ore price.

Thousands of people have arrived in Naarm this week, joining the Yoorrook Justice Commissioner on the final steps of his Walk for Truth. The 500-kilometre journey marks the closing chapter for Travis Lovett in his Victoria's landmark truth-telling process - where he trekked from Portland in the state's west all the way to Melbourne.

Israel has launched multiple strikes on Iran after its Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, rejected US President Donald Trump's demands to surrender. Regional evacuations are taking place as the the US sends an aircraft carrier to the Middle East, while global calls for de-escalation mount.

The UK's original abortion law - approved in 1861 - stipulated that deliberately ending a pregnancy was a crime, and those who carried it out could be kept in penal servitude for life. The Parliament has now approved an amendment to that law to stop women from being prosecuted, which one Labour MP says has been happening to hundreds of vulnerable people over the years.

The Victorian Government's plans to demolish Melbourne's 44 public housing towers are facing yet another legal challenge, as independent reports say the plan is deeply flawed. The Inner Melbourne Community Legal Centre is launching an appeal to a Supreme Court decision dismissing claims Home Victoria was in breach of tenant human rights.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is warning "diplomacy in crisis", after leaving the G7 Summit without securing any further military support due to the absence of US President Donald Trump. The G7 leaders also failed to produce major agreements on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East following Mr Trump's departure. While Australia missed out on a leader-level meeting with the strategic ally, its relationship with the European Union has warmed up.

Australian markets fall ahead of a US Federal Reserve meeting on interest rates – as oil continues its rally. Perpetual Limited's head of investment strategy, Matt Sherwood joins Rhayna Bosch with the details. Plus - Optus faces a $100 million fine, one of the largest consumer law penalties in Australian history. Stephanie Youssef speaks with Australian Communications Consumer Action Network CEO Carrol Bennett about the significance of the development.

US President Donald Trump says he wants Iran's unconditional surrender, as US officials have indicated more fighter jets are being deployed to the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Iran intends to deliver a strong response, as he declared the battle has begun. Officials in Iran say the death toll in five days of aerial attacks is at least 224, while the number of people killed in Israel has increased to 24.